THE BEATLES Sgt Pepper LOVELY UK 1967 MONO EX+ LP, SUPER EX++ COVER with INSERTS

	£		208
	$		276

ONEADAYRECORDS – Simply Delivering Quality Music to the World in Quality, Safe Packing.

Postage: UK £4.75 (£1 per extra record). Europe (including Russia) £12.50 (£2 per extra record). Rest of World (including ALL parts of the USA) £16.50 (£3 per extra record). All boxes signed for in quality, safe packaging – I NEVER use mailing envelopes that offer virtually no protection at all – in fact I think these things should be banned as records WILL arrive damaged in them at some time. Here, you get what you pay for – SAFE PACKING in BOXES using 7mm DOUBLE-WALL STIFFENERS. Full details nearer the end of the listing.

Posting to Russia: Yes, I do post to Russia. But delivery can take up to 4 to 6 weeks from the UK. So please be patient. I will submit a tracking number to the winning bidder, and when the packet arrives there it can be followed online using the Russian post website.

ALSO: I now apply the Ebay ‘2-day’ rule for non-payment to keep things moving – cash-flow is important for any small business. I will always keep my P&P prices as low as possible, and even after yet another Royal Mail price hike from April this year, I have NOT raised my prices and will never compromise on solid, safe packing that is invariably heavier than most you will get. My P&P offers probably the best value-for-money for vinyl records available, and I even will pay for full insurance on any record that sells for over £100 at NO extra cost – that is UK and abroad. Also I aim to post the very same day after payment is received. You WILL see the difference when my packet arrives.

FINALLY: Late payers, non-payers and ‘0’ bidders will now be blocked or cancelled at my discretion. As will any bidder who cancels a bid. I do not like this practice as it is most often used to phish out the price to beat. Ebay does not approve and neither do I – so only bid on my items if you want them.

Artist or Band: THE BEATLES

Album Title: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

Producer(s): George Martin

TRACK LIST:

Side 1: Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band; With a Little Help From My Friends; Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds; Getting Better; Fixing a Hole; She’s Leaving Home; Being For the Benefit of Mr Kite.

Side 2: Within You Without You; When I’m Sixty-Four; Lovely Rita; Good Morning Good Morning; Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise); A Day in the Life.

Label/Format: Parlophone – matt, smooth surfaces. Side one has the embossed ‘K T’ tax codes and both are crisp and sharp, totally unworn. All text and information as seen in the high resolution pictures.

Label Conditions: Both in superb condition: ultra clean, fresh and highly attractive with only a tiny few very light, fine and faint spindle traces. Finding mono copies of this so clearly hardly played in so very difficult – one of the most popular albums ever issued, most are heavily played, often on the most basic of record players and trashed. This is a beautiful all-round, hardly used example.

Cat Number: PMC 7027

Mode / Speed: Mono / 33.3 rpm.

Warps: Assume all records I offer have no warping of any significance and all tracking is easy and effortless and should play on all turntables and even ‘budget’ decks.

Weight of this Record: 130 grams. A very good average weight for this album.

Country of Manufacture: England

Rarity: Very few Beatles standard albums are rare and this is not a hard one to find. The main factor is condition: this album sold in vast numbers, but so many were played almost to destruction on heavy tracking vintage record players. So often the beautiful sound ruined by groove wear, scratched and grubby, dulled surfaces. Finding one appearing little played and offering impressive clean sound is far harder. This is a lovely complete all-round example.

Original Year of Release: 1967

Matrix Nos: XEX 637-1 / XEX 638-1

Stamper Codes: 1 MGH / 2 ALR

Musicians: John Lennon – lead, harmony and background vocals, rhythm, acoustic and lead guitars, Hammond organ and final piano E chord, harmonica, tape loops, sound effects, comb and tissue paper; handclaps, tambourine and maracas; Paul McCartney – lead, harmony and background vocals, bass and lead guitars, electric and acoustic pianos, Lowrey and Hammond organs, handclaps, tape loops, sound effects, comb and tissue paper; George Harrison – harmony and background vocals, lead, rhythm and acoustic guitars, sitar, tamboura, harmonica, kazoo; handclaps, maracas; lead vocals on ‘Within You Without You’; Ringo Starr – drums, congas, tambourine, maracas, handclaps, tubular bells, lead vocals on ‘With a Little Help from My Friends’, harmonica; final piano E chord.

With: Sounds Incorporated – the saxophone sextet; Neil Aspinall – tamboura and harmonica; Geoff Emerick – audio engineering, tape loops and sound effects; Mal Evans – counting, harmonica, alarm clock and final piano E chord; George Martin – tape loops and sound effects, harpsichord, harmonium, Lowrey organ, glockenspiel, Hammond organ, piano, final harmonium chord.

Session musicians: French horns – Neill Sanders, James W. Buck, John Burden, Tony Randall; string section and harp arranged by Mike Leander and conducted by Martin; tabla, dilrubas, tamboura and swarmandal played by members of the Asian Music Circle; clarinet trio: Robert Burns, Henry MacKenzie, Frank Reidy; forty-piece orchestra, including strings, brass, woodwinds and percussion arranged by Martin, Lennon and McCartney and conducted by Martin and McCartney.

Brief Artist & Album Info: Any music lover, collector and Beatles fan will know most all there is to know already and I will concentrate on conditions. A copy of ‘Pepper’ has to be a minimum of around excellent visually with even better sound for me to offer – finding low grade worn-out copies is very easy and are better avoided. Basically what is here is a standard mono and complete issue ‘Sgt Pepper’, no wide spines, missing label text or 4th proof covers, but a really impressive little played copy. All elements are in very fine condition and the record looks and plays beautifully with little unwanted – the cover and insert are almost exceptional. Copies like this are harder to find for sure, and I think many, if not most collectors will enjoy this copy.

Cover Grade and Format: EXCELLENT(++): a fully laminated gatefold format with two external flipbacks on the top edges of the centrefold – these were later removed on subsequent issues. This has the correct PMC 7027 Mono cover number. Printed and made by Garrod & Lofthouse Ltd. Includes psych ‘flame’ inner sleeve and insert sheet.

Laminate – Front & Back: This cover simply exudes class and stunning good looks. So many of these are tired, shabby and dull – well this one catches the eye immediately it’s viewed – a gorgeous bright and vibrant example with incredible deep colour and unaged. The laminate gleams with fantastic shine, freshness and clarity without the usual dulling, lifting or heavy creases. Any creasing present is largely little, fine and faint, mostly the sides, the same goes for any marks or blemishes – put simply – this is age defying. Even on the back, any hint of rim impression or dulling is minimal and faint as seen under light. Remember, this was a massively mass-produced cover, even from brand new, many would have had blemishes or laminate issues, this has few and quite honestly, this does come pretty close to reminding of examples purchased back in 1967. Unless absolute perfection is mandatory (good luck with that), this superb example sets a hugely high standard.

Cover Inner Gatefold: The inside gatefold is pristine Mint – simply gorgeous. So-much-so, it will not open flat without breaking that fully intact and unsplit central fold hinge laminate. All areas of the fold hinge laminate is ultra smooth, tight and totally uncracked or split. The flipbacks are immaculate and without any pulling or grubbiness to their ends. Simply look and admire the Fab Four looking a perfect as possible.

Top & Bottom Edges: All straight, totally unworn or chipped with super-smooth surfaces. Also flat and parallel, they hardly get better.

Right Edge(s), and Type: Clean and both mostly very sharp with any burr or thickening light as seen viewed end-on on the front central are, but even this is minimal in context. Both edges are open to store the record and the insert – both guaranteed untrimmed or enhanced in any way. The fine exposed strips where the laminate ends are fully present, the exposed card barely worn at all.

Spine and Text: This cover has the standard more rounded and narrow spine. They are more prone to wear and often shed their laminate protection. This one in superb condition, way, way better than most seen these days. Solid, straight, clean with minimal hint of compression, any natural crinkle minimal as well. It has bucked-the-trend and retains full laminate retention, so all the perfectly centred text is pristine unworn as seen. This was inverted compared to most text seen on spines.

Corners: Any tip rubs are tiny and very light indeed, very little at all. Excellent or better shape retained, that being quite unusual with no bashes or dinks.

Cover Summary: One of the very best Sgt Pepper covers I have seen for ages, and up there with my best ever, few survive this fresh and clean, the colour still intense and bright. Totally unfaded or aged, blemishes few and minor, one I feel most collectors will cherish.

The Inner Sleeve: EXCELLENT(+): and this being very critical, yes it has a little staining on one edge as seen, the owner said it was present on purchase, so this has nothing to do with wear or accidents – but I have allowed for this nonetheless. Made with very thin and unforgiving paper, most of these are split on the seam edges, badly creased, torn, rubbed or missing altogether – some even have substantial ring wear or written on. This has avoided such issues and I consider a super example (arguably with a small blemish). It has the ‘Made in Great Britain’ and ‘Patents Applied For’ text and is in lovely, still fresh condition. These were never lined, so this having no edge splits (or repairs) is a refreshing change. Barely creased or even crinkled, just light evidence of the record rim shape with any grubbiness equally light on that area. These are getting hard to find like this, I consider this inner almost exceptional now, but with the edge mark, I cannot say its ‘perfect’.

The Insert: MINT: this is practically as flawless as they get. Ultra clean, again fresh and hugely attractive with no creasing or rubbing, all edges crisp and sharp – it looks as new as any ever will. This has deep rich colour, and is of course guaranteed original and Printed in England.

Vinyl Condition/Visual Grading: EXCELLENT(+) / (++): viewed critically under bright angled light, this does have fine wispy surface marks but absolutely NO penetrating scratches or scuffs at all. I am almost asking myself if I am being too critical on a mono record fast approaching fifty – and then arguably the world’s most popular album as well. With most copies, especially in mono heavily played, often swathed in heavy marks and scratches, grubby dulled surfaces and the sound degraded badly – chalk and cheese – this is a beauty. When viewed in average room light hardly anything even shows. Very clean, fresh with excellent shine and very solidly pressed. This appears very little played and it should please many, if not most collectors.

Album Played For Grading: Yes. [I play ALL records I offer before submitting to Ebay, also the record is played in its entirety unless clearly stated otherwise. I do NOT play snippets or joining grooves to check for sound quality and quietness – I play from the beginning to end via clinically revealing B&W speakers that include the legendary tweeter from their awesome Nautilus range that reveals every blemish or minuscule sound present on any record.]

Sound Quality and Audio Grading: Any collector needing a quality pressed early mono copy of this record will want one that not only looks in super condition, but sounds the same – this copy has very impressive overall sound with very little to fault. It plays even above it’s visual grading with strong distortion-free sound, all frequencies are sharp and clear with no tracking issues*. Sound quality is astonishing with a very wide dynamic range and super detailed sound, another George Martin masterpiece of production. Many regard it as the ‘perfect’ mono album and the very best ever produced in this mode. This record has little unwanted – the odd gentle sporadic tick being near impossible to avoid on such vintage, very popular pieces – trace just evident as the sound fades at the very end, but little else. Especially so with Beatles classics that were usually played into submission. Few available copies will match or better this significantly I feel sure. Both channels are clean and sharp and remains fully focused with breathtaking sound. The detail and sounds locked into these vintage, wear-free grooves is astonishing. This remains one of the most important albums ever issued and sounds very different to the stereo version – both being essential in my opinion. An album of amazing depth with complex sounds, its warmth and delivery from an original, little used record still offers THE definitive sound that still thrills. The challenging ‘She’s Leaving Home’ plays incredibly well and barely even a hint of that irritating crackle and clipping most seem to inherit. This being my benchmark song on the album. I usually find if this critical and unforgiving track plays well, the entire album usually does too, which was the case here. Any stresses to those critical high frequencies being minuscule to none, this record has impressive sound. I have heard some copies of this album that would make most listeners cringe, with break-up, noise and distortion on the vocals, which is all too common. I will not offer copies like that. We all know what these old records were usually played on and the horrendous results. Minor blemishes have to be acceptable being realistic – (but only just) – but copies with any more than little and very minor, I simply refuse to offer – if they don’t please me why would they please others? Nothing of any note spoilt my pleasure when play-grading this landmark album. A copy that is likely to prove very difficult to find significantly better. Any tiny sound blemishes (of which there are barely any) are simply brushed aside by the breathtaking clean sound and on a highly revealing, clinical turntable that this reveals all the good (as well as the bad). With jaw-dropping detail and dynamics, this leads directly into the recording studio itself and does it very high justice.

End Piece: To sum up: ‘Sgt Pepper’ is not even remotely rare in mono or stereo, it sold millions – if anyone says others, simply laugh. I have found both formats pretty easy to find if needed. It’s the conditions that make the difference, especially for audio quality and that challenging classic cover. Only one in many will withstand being played to satisfaction on an LP12 or other similar high-end turntable. This can be played and enjoyed to high satisfaction. It gave me that rare tingle factor that only the great recordings ever can with the most incredible detail and dynamics possible. Just the odd tiny, polite reminder you are listening to a 49-year-old record, but I have no personal issues with that – that fade-out at the end is just so difficult. Few will better this significantly – a very impressive example – ENJOY!

* As played-graded on a high-end Linn LP12 Sondek turntable with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge tracking at 2.2 grams.

Now one of the most established sellers on Ebay and still offering the finest and most accurately described and graded records I can find. I pride myself on offering a variety of genres to keep my site as interesting as possible. I will rarely offer any record that falls below a true Excellent grading, unless its of a certain rarity which will justify offering a lesser grade. I try, to the best of my ability to describe as accurately and as honesty as I can all items I offer for sale with all the relevant information I can think of to help any potential bidder and collector. You may notice I only submit records sparingly on Ebay as I Play-Grade every record I offer in their entirety – also on higher-end equipment – not just bits to guess a grade - visuals alone do not always tell a true or full story. I will mention any defects or flaws no matter how small that I notice to be fair as possible to any interested collector – I am very fussy and my buyers have the right to be too. Every record I offer, whether it be a common or rare item deserves the same respect as far as I am concerned and will be treated the same - just because an item is rare does not always mean it’s good. I get just as much pleasure offering a relatively common record in stunning near mint condition as the real rare items. All the pictures I use for your guidance are taken with a digital camera or scanned - they are NOT improved, cleaned-up or made better looking than they are with camera trickery or enhancing with digital programs. Room light factors can make things vary sometimes, that is hard to control, especially in winter. If any picture I take looks more flattering than the actual item for any reason, I will clearly state the fact in the advert and vice-versa. I hope the item below is to your liking - any questions can be emailed and I will do my very best to answer you. I am enthusiastic, and have a fair degree of knowledge about many genres and I promise quality items - bid with confidence - excellence comes as standard and so does Near Mint regularly. Please assume all records I offer have NO jumps, sticks, warps or writing on covers or labels unless clearly stated to the contrary. Thanks for your interest and Good luck – MIKE.

Deck: Linn LP12/Hercules/Cirkus with Ittok Mk II arm and Ortofon Quintet Black moving coil cartridge (tracks at 2.2 grams). Amps: Naim Supernait 2 with Project USB phono stage and Tellerium Black interconnects. Speakers: B&W 704 Floorstanding 3-way Monitors (bi-wired with Tellurium Black terminated cable). All records I offer on Ebay are cleaned on a professional VPI-17 vacuum machine before play-grading for the cleanest and best possible sound and will include a brand new lined inner and protective cover too. Pictures taken with a Nikon D5000 SLR Digital Camera.

PACKING - THIS IS WHAT YOU GET.

What You Get: To confirm to the strict Ebay rules on shipping, I must now send ALL my packets ‘Signed-For’ with NO exceptions. Both buyers and sellers want their packets to have a safer journey and this is not a bad thing.

I now offer the fastest possible posting, often the very next day after payment is received or within two to three days maximum (unless on holiday). I only use FIRST-CLASS Mail. The record’s cover will be placed within a BRAND NEW soft protective sleeve and the actual record will be professionally cleaned on my new VPI-17 Pro vacuum system to give ultimate clean grooves and playing surfaces and the best possible looks and ultimate sound quality. You will NOT get tired, dull looking, dust infested records inside worn and foggy covers with tatty inners from this seller and that’s a promise and guarantee. All records are posted in professional boxes (NOT Mailers, these do not offer any real protection). The record(s) are REMOVED from their main cover to avoid edge splits and placed within a brand new polylined inner. The record’s original inner will be included if available. The boxes are then reinforced with at least TWO, ULTRA THICK stiffeners for maximum extra protection – these are FOUR TIMES thicker than commercial stiffeners and are custom-made for oneadayrecords. Really rare and expensive albums will even be Double Boxed if deemed necessary and possible. When larger boxes are used, the thick record and stiffener ‘sandwich’ is then thickly embedded into bubble-wrap to bulk out the record inside the box to centre the item inside to reduce the risk of damage still further. Printed address labels are used for clarity as well as a sender label. Customers requests or special needs for P&P will be respected if at all possible but ‘Signed-For’ posting is NOT an option anymore. I do not profit on posting, better quality packaging costs, I offer probably the best-value and safest shipping possible for ultimate confidence. The boxes and ultra thick double-wall stiffeners make a near impregnable fortress for safe shipping and this is used inland and overseas for ALL my records, not just the rare and expensive. I will invoice any winning bidder as soon as possible after the auction ends. My ‘loss’ or ‘damage rate’ is minuscule in over 14 years of Ebay trading and I consider that pretty exceptional. The only damage rate acceptable for this seller is ZERO and I think my packets will offer just that. It would take a vicious postman or postal service to damage these for sure. Oneadayrecords is a MAILER-FREE ZONE – they offer next-to-no-protection, and should be banned, no ‘professional’ should consider using them in my opinion. I discount of course for multiple purchases with a maximum of FIVE records per box (one double can sometimes be included subject to total weight). All postage costs are below and at the top of the listing.

NOTE: First Time Bidders: Please ask me first.

PLEASE NOTE: I now exercise my right to open a dispute after the Ebay rule of TWO days if no payment is received. I will then cancel the dispute to end the bid, again after the mandatory FOUR days and then offer the item to the runner-up or relist. The non-payer will also be blocked from my Ebay site as will any suspicious bids or bid withdrawals. Small businesses need prompt payment to trade and these strict rules WILL be applied.

SHIPPING COSTS & CONDITIONS – THESE comply with EBAY’S RULES - PLEASE READ CAREFULLY:

Posting & Packing: UK & CHANNEL ISLANDS all now sent via Recorded Delivery:

1 LP (FIRST-CLASS Recorded Delivery with Standard Royal Mail Insurance) [Signed For] = £4.75

1 LP (Special Delivery with Standard £500 Maximum Insurance) [Signed For, Next Day] = £7.50. (this includes insurance of £500). Add £1 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: EUROPE & SCANDINAVIA. (Airmail Only):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £12.50 (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3). Add £2 per extra LP.

Posting & Packing: ALL OVERSEAS (non-European) e.g. USA (ANY PART OF); South America; New Zealand; Australia; Canada; Japan and other Far East; (Airmail Only: I NEVER use Surface Mail):

1 LP (Small Packet ‘Signed For’ with Standard Royal Mail Insurance [£50 maximum]) = £16.50 (£17.50 for double sets). Add £3 per extra LP. (enhanced Royal Mail insurance is an optional extra £3)

Payment Conditions:

I prefer PayPal or cheque from UK winning bidders. I can accept PayPal from overseas bidders or direct payment into my bank account.

Potential Bidders: I will cancel any bids I feel are time-wasters. A maximum 3 days for communication and 7 days for payment to arrive - if not I will relist the item or offer to the runner-up. Fast deals get great feedback from me. Any questions - please ask and thanks for looking.

My Guarantee: If any winning bidder is not satisfied with their purchase I will offer a complete refund. I will not refund if any defect detail is clearly stated on the advert and missed by the buyer, so read the item description carefully. If any overseas collector does not understand anything in my listing, please email and ask me to help. Thank You.

SOME GENERAL GUIDES TO WEAR AND CONDITIONS TO HELP YOU DECIDE

My Use of Description Terminology: Surface Marks = Superficial, usually light marks, hairlines or light scuffs that rarely sound. Scratch = a needle mark that goes below the record’s surface, some will sound, some will not, my play-grade will inform. Original = a record that has been pressed with the first label design which does NOT necessarily mean a very first pressed record. First Pressing = A record that I believe or know to be a genuine very first pressed record. I do not claim to always know for sure, and that’s why I state the stamper and matrix numbers if at all possible, for those who claim to know what they all mean, the information is there for the collector to decide. I prefer to use terms like ‘Early Copy’ rather than ‘First Pressing’ if I am not totally sure. Surface Sound = Mild, light sound, usually light crackle or similar. Distortion = Break up of the actual sound caused by groove wear or damage from a chipped stylus – the most undesirable form of unwanted sound, vintage mono records were the most prone to this happening but not exclusively so. The symptoms of distortion are high frequency clipping, moderate constant crackle or an echo type sound quality. Violin, piano and vocals are most prone to groove-wear distortion. Feathering = Fraying or softening of the entry edge of a cover. Covers with feathered entrance edges are more likely to have had the actual record inserted and removed more than a non-feathered, sharp-edged cover which are always far more attractive. Set Off, actually a printer’s term for dark ink leaving mild residue on pale or white ink when rested upon. e.g. when a gatefold cover has black ink closed against white, this can leave some black residue on the pale area – this is mostly unavoidable or course.

The Argument for Vinyl Original sound and mix (mono mixes are rarely available on CD), high quality sound on clean copies (played on a hi-end dedicated analogue system – breathtaking sound!), beautiful, large format covers, artwork, inserts and even full size posters etc; huge investment potential, and the pleasure of owning ‘the real thing’.